Dawn Patrol: Vigil for plane crash victims, Moeller takes oath

Family and friends attend a candlelight vigil for Jeffrey and Katherine Bronken Sunday night at Heron View Park In Round Lake. The father and daughter were killed in a Florida small plane crash.Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

Round Lake dad, daughter remembered with vigil

More than 400 neighbors, friends and family gathered to remember the lives of a father and daughter cut short in a plane crash last Saturday in Florida and to support their family at a candlelight vigil at the park last night in the Valley Lake subdivision in Round Lake. Those who knew Jeffrey Bronken, 53, and Katherine "Katie" Bronken, 15, honored their memory by playing music, writing memories and sharing stories about them. Full story.

Moeller takes oath of office in 43rd District

This morning is the first that Anna Moeller, former Elgin City Council member, will spend as the new state representative for the 43rd District after being sworn in yesterday during a ceremony held at Danny's Pizzeria in Elgin. She will fill the seat left vacant after Keith Farnham resigned March 19 amid a federal investigation. Full story.

Batavia man reported missing in Japan found

A man from Batavia who had been lost on a mountain in Japan for six days has been found. Mike Blodgett, 35, who lives in Japan with his wife and young daughter, came into trouble when he slipped off a trail and down the side of Mount Omine. Soaking wet, lost and alone, Blodgett set out to find a way back to safety. Full story.

Fundraiser helps match vets with rescued pit bulls

A rescued pit bull named Mira was one of the first things people saw yesterday when they entered Hoffman Lanes in Hoffman Estates for the Pits For Patriots Stars and Strikes Fundraiser. That's only fitting since Mira, and the idea behind her, is why many were coming to the bowling alley Sunday afternoon. Full story.

Breaking news

An unlicensed driver backed through a fence and into a house Sunday in Elgin, striking a family pet but not causing any injuries to people, police said Monday. The driver's name was not immediately available. This is a developing story. Check back at dailyherald.com or read Tuesday's Daily Herald for details.

Traffic

Tollways and expressways are starting the morning clear, but drivers are experiencing a slight slowdown on Route 88 heading west between Farnsworth/Kirk Road and Orchard Road. Traffic signals are flashing at Route 31 and Wing Street in Elgin, so police are reminding drivers to treat the intersection as a four-way stop. Watch for possible road construction projects on Thorndale Avenue just east of I-290 and on Peterson Road at Route 83 in Grayslake. Full traffic.

Weather

Temperatures are starting out in the mid-40s this morning before heading to a high of 63 degrees this afternoon. Expect windy conditions with morning sunshine giving way to clouds in the afternoon. A rain shower might hit in some spots. Full weather.

Augustin scores career high, Bulls win

It took a career-night from D.J. Augustin and one of the slickest crossover moves of the season to pull out a 107-102 Bulls victory over the Celtics at the TD Forum last night. After Boston's Jeff Green tied the score with an impressive turnaround 3-pointer, Augustin turned in his best move of the night. As Joakim Noah set a high screen, Augustin crossed over Rajon Rondo, slid to the left and drained a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:19 remaining to make it 99-96. Full story.

Toews 'day-to-day' after Blackhawks loss

As bad as things have been lately without Patrick Kane in the lineup -- and they've been pretty bad -- at least there's comfort in knowing that No. 88 should be back for the start of the playoffs. The Blackhawks were looking at a nightmare scenario last night when Jonathan Toews took a crunching hit along the boards from Pittsburgh's Brooks Orpik with 6:30 remaining in the second period, left the ice holding his left arm and never returned in a 4-1 Penguins victory. However, it looks like the captain won't be out for an extended period of time. Full story.

Sox' Konerko ready for his final big-league go-round

Most of the fans in the stands at the White Sox home opener today are likely to stand and cheer when Paul Konerko, who will begin his 16th and final season with the team today, is introduced. But there is still a sizable overall faction that believes the 38-year-old captain should not be on the roster this year. Full story.

Cubs' Samardzija continues to learn on his baseball journey

When Cubs starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija was drafted in 2006 did anyone realistically think that in 2014, Samardzija would be preparing to make his second straight opening-day start for the Cubs? Probably not, and maybe not even Samardzija himself could have envisioned that. But he'll take the ball on Opening Day for the second year in a row today when the Cubs open the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Full story.

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